Upon Waking

People are too concerned about people. So distracted are we by our differences that we've been overlooking our similarities.

So what makes us similar? What connects us to one another?

It is the Life Force. And the light force is driven by love.

These days, it seems people are afraid of love. Afraid to show compassion. Afraid to admit when they're wrong. Afraid to forgive. Afraid to say something. Afraid to do something.

Our world is riddled with fear. We are surrounded by signs that tell us "NO." We are fed prejudice and racism through advertisements and media. We have been conditioned; conditioned to live through a reality based on fear.

Fear of growing old.
Fear of having less.
Fear of being left behind.
Fear of being overlooked.
Fear of not being listened to.
Fear of being harmed.
Fear of being alone.
Fear of being honest.

Yes, it is dark.
But before there was light, there was darkness.
And before there was darkness, there was light.

Remember, your life experience is unique.
Remember that you are special.
Remember that you can do anything. Remember that you always have a family.
Remember you always have a home. Remember that you always have an opportunity to express love.
Remember to share your insights.
Remember to be honest.
Remember to share your best moments. Remember to listen.
Remember to learn.
Remember your personal standards.

Expect nothing - always be surprised.
Respect everything and everyone - this is a lifestyle.
Project your positives - make your happiness known.
Live through creativity.
Create new solutions.
Help others heal.
Be generous.
See the good in others.
Always be who you want to be.
Share and share often.
Teach what you've learned.
Show others how to improve.
Communicate effectively.
Be wise.
Be clever.
Be charming.

These are essential elements of the Life Force. When practiced and combined a certain energy is created.
I refer to this creation as positivity.

For every negative, there is a greater positive. And for every greater positive there is a greater negative. This is the balance of our universe.

What I find particularly beautiful about this arrangement of circumstance is the fact that positivity will always have the advantage.

And that is because all occurrences that we perceive to be negative or harmful are only moments away from leading each of us to something better, greater, and of healing.

So be concerned if you want. Delve into issues of race, territorial bounds, the rising cost of living, and gentrifications.

Or, create the life you want by maintaining focus on positive outcomes. Create by focusing on the good of today, of right now.
Sustain your ability to create and express love.

Your soul will thank you for it.
And you will thank your soul.

I Am Defender

Against the throws of war

I am the defender of my heart.

Poisoned arrows with sharpened tips

soar with accusations dripping down their silvery lips 

ready to puncture my every pride.

But I am the defender of my heart.

When lovers complete the idea of me 

with incomplete ideas of me, 

a hollow shell of my actuality 

is animated 

and mocks me like a cartooned parody.

I am the defender.

A patient heart is a determined heart,

not waiting, but patient. 

Indeed wading, patiently, through thick 

and sticky scores of sluts, tramps,

and hooligans, all waiting with bows and arrows in hand.

Here I stand, the shield, the man,

the only defender of my heart. 

The blade sheathed in me is sharp and quiet, 

can reduce a loose tongue to a 

removed one, and will pierce the ears of 

any fortunate enough to hear what truth I speak, 

or stab, for my blade runs deep.

And it must. Because in me, my soul has trust. 

I seek within, beyond the moths and rust, 

between the unsettled dust, 

beneath the copper crust. 

I am the defender.

When chicks play games and lick the names 

of the many men they've fucked and bent, 

I write the boards and bar my chords 

pressing ink to page while burning sage.

Needless to say, the nights are solitary 

in my home. 

I thrive by candle light, 

fire helps me write, 

the flame insist that much burns inside of me. 

The pain, the shame, the 

misery, all melt off like calories.

I exercise the defender in my heart.

I have friends in many places, some wear 

two, three, four, and five faces. 

Some are copy cats and rely on traces 

to shape their lives and like glass blown vases 

are full of hot air. 

Speak your peace or let your words rest peacefully, 

because only deeds can be 

resurrected successfully, 

and the groundsman gave the keys to me, 

I run the graveyard shift in to the early morning. 

Would you believe how many thoughts are buried in this cemetery? 

Six feet beneath actions, respectfully. 

Where is the love you ask? 

Well where do I start? Begin where it ends.

I am the defender of my heart.